Chapter 8 - Visiting Hours
Hermione hurried downstairs, she found that Professor Dumbledore was no longer there.
"Hermione?" Professor McGonagall called her up to the staff table. Hermione went up. In a quiet voice, "Samantha told me about the commotion this morning. Have you seen Harry yet?"
"Yes, he said he's alright, just has a headache. Have you seen Professor Dumbledore?" Hermione asked in a rush.
"Yes, he went to the staff room. Why?" Professor McGonagall asked sternly but quietly.
"I need to - that is Harry would like to-"
Professor McGonagall held her hand up. "Then go." she said. Hermione waved on her way out.
Hermione got to the door and was about to knock when she heard voices.
"Are you sure she can be trusted?"
"Any question of that, should have been answered last night." Dumbledore replied. "Remus, who would you prefer to do the potion?"
"As long as it's done, I don't really care." Lupin said casually. "Don't forget we need to arrange a sub for my off days."
"Well isn't it obvious, I'll cover those and do the potion. I don't want a werewolf running lose." Snape said.
"Well, that's awfully magnanimous of you, Severus." Lupin said, "But since Araya was hired to sub in, let her. It'll mean less work for you."
"Whatever you decide, sir." Snape said. Hermione guessed he was speaking to Dumbledore. She moved back from the door, waited a few moments then went to knock, but Lupin came out first.
"Hermione. Is there something I can do for you?" he asked pleasantly.
"Yes. I-I'd like to ask Professor Dumbledore something. I was told he's here." she said.
"Just a minute." Lupin went in and came out with Dumbledore.
"Yes?" he said, Professor Lupin was still present. Hermione thought of saying something else, but decided Harry wouldn't mind.
"Um - Sir, this morning Harry woke from a dream." Hermione said. "One of those dreams. He'd like to talk to you, but didn't want all the questions."
"Where is he?" Dumbledore asked calmly.
"The medical wing. He said his head still hurt." Hermione informed him. They headed off to the hospital.
"Sir, may I?" Lupin asked his meaning obvious.
"Yes, of course Remus. But you must not miss your class." Dumbledore said compassionately.
Harry and Ron were sitting waiting in the ward. "What took so long Hermione?" Ron asked.
"Never mind that now." Professor Lupin worried. "Harry, what did you see?" Harry looked at him. The expression was that which a father or favourite uncle might have given him.
Harry recounted the best he could the disjointed images. He told them about the green light, like that of the Avada Kedavra curse. He told them about the pain and how it lingered.
When he was done, Ron started. "He was mumbling at first, but it wasn't him. So I went to see what was up. His scar, it started to glow...bright, like fire. I tried to wake him, but it was no good. He started to scream. I kept trying to wake him. Even when he opened his eyes, it's like he wasn't there. I tried to cover his scar because there were so many people about...I was just trying to help." Ron finished, looking at Harry. Harry smiled back at him.
Professor Lupin had sat beside Harry. An act of concern only Sirius, his godfather, had ever done. "Harry, how do you feel now?"
"Well, I still have a headache. I'm a little queasy, but Madame Pomfrey said she could get me something." Harry said. "I want to send a letter to-"
"What are you all doing about?" Madame Pomfrey handed Harry a potion, "Drink this. Then you should be fine enough to head off to class. Oh good Araya, you're awake."
"Shhh! Not so loud." Araya winced. "Got anything for a headache? Or should I just take some Aspirin?" she stood and winced. "Was everyone alright?"
"Yes, yes. Well done." Dumbledore said. Araya clasped her hands over her ears. "Could you wait for me in my office?" he continued, more quietly. She waved and left. "Nasty habit that girl has for popping up like that. Harry, until we can make more sense of what you were seeing, I'd rather you were in the company of a Professor."
"But-" Harry started to say. Dumbledore gave him a stern look. "Yes, sir. You won't be calling off the match tomorrow, will you?"
Dumbledore smiled, "Not as of yet, Harry." he said, "I see no reason to stop the game. When you feel up to going to class, here, in case you're late. Remus, you should go. Ron, Hermione, you can stay with Harry." They left the three of them, Harry still looked dazed."
"I'd like to go to class." Harry said faintly, "I-I don't want anymore attention."
"Alright." they agreed. Hermione kept what she'd overheard to herself until Harry felt better.
Harry dozed during History of Magic. Who really cared about the beginning of wizard persecution in Europe? So what if it wasn't even a wizard that started it? The droning voice carried on, Harry let his mind wander. Would Hagrid be there for his first match? Would Sirius?
Ron nudged Harry awake at the end of class, "Please tell me I didn't scream or talk." Harry asked quietly.
"No." Hermione consoled him.
"Maybe a little drool though." Ron teased. It didn't take much after that to have Harry cheered up. By the time they had Care of Magical Creatures, Harry was back in good spirits.
"Hello Hagrid." Harry greeted.
"Hello Harry." Hagrid greeted, "Fine day, today."
"Yes, are we going to finish with the horn-toe dat-mouths today?" Harry asked.
"I thought it best to wrap up my lessons. On account of - well, you know." Hagrid said. The rest of the class arrived and started on the lesson. "Careful now, their teeth be mighty sharp, and their claws are toughened."
In Dumbledore's office Araya sat, gazing out the window. She heard the stairs rise and glanced over her shoulder. Dumbledore entered with a large black dog.
"Apologies, sir." Araya whispered, "I should have had more warning. I was...distracted."
Dumbledore held up his hand to stop her. "You-" Araya winced, and Dumbledore lowered his voice, "You still protected the students, which was what I'd asked of you." she nodded her thanks, "What was that? A banshee?"
"I think not. They do not work with wizards, nor are their cries of that kind. It was one of a broad range, not narrow like a banshee." Araya returned quietly. "It was more like a Dragonia. But it could not be."
"Dragonia?" Dumbledore sounded surprised. "Ah, yes." As if finding the reference, "Very exotic."
"Yeah, but they can't survive in this environment." Araya said her eyes fell on the dog quizzically, then back to Dumbledore.
"That could explain why there was only one roar." Dumbledore said. Araya shook her head no.
"If it had been, a lot more would have broken than just the windows." Araya said, holding her head in her hands. "I'll think on this problem. But unless you have something for me to do, I'm going to bed." She rose from her seat, and moved to the door.
"Oh, Severus will be doing the potion for Remus. But you will cover the classes." Dumbledore said. Araya waved in acknowledgement. An owl landed on the windowsill. Dumbledore reached for it, but it hooted and flew over to Araya. She opened and read the note, a large smile crept across her face.
"Good news, I take it."
"Yes." she smiled, "From my boyfriend. At least there is a brighter turn this morning."
"I am most glad for that." Dumbledore smiled compassionately, "I hope you feel better tomorrow."
Araya left and Sirius changed to his human form. "You were talking about the noise? I went to look for the source, but found nothing." Sirius informed him. "Is Harry-"
"He is well. Are you sure you saw nothing? I had been hoping for some clue. Ah well...so, I hear you wanted to come to the game tomorrow?"
Harry, Ron, and Hermione helped Hagrid clean up after class. It was in hope of finding out more about his impending absence.
"Well, thank you lot." Hagrid said. Fang, the boarhound trotted over. "Going to miss you. But got important business for Dumbledore."
"Don't suppose you could tell us what it is?" Ron asked.
"Well, I'm not supposed to." Hagrid said, patting Fang's head, "But Harry, I don't leave until after your game. I should be home before Christmas."
The Gryffindor house seemed to rally around the Quidditch team, as if suspecting the odd events of Halloween to have been a sabotage attempt by Slytherins, though none knew how. The team was never without a group of supporters.
Harry's anxiety grew through Friday, as it normally did. He wondered if Lupin had figured out how to make it possible for Sirius to come.
At dinner Harry ate very little. He kept glancing at the staff table. Araya wasn't present; in fact she hadn't been seen all day. Snape glared at Harry, his eyes burned. Harry watched as Dumbledore engaged him in conversation. Lupin came in later, and looked extremely tired.
"Harry, ready for tomorrow?" Fred asked, slipping in beside Harry. "Can you believe that they think Slytherin are trying to jinx us?"
"No." Harry said, "I mean, yes, I'm ready. No, I don't think Slytherin had anything to do with it."
"Do you think that Araya's gone?" George asked, somewhat depressed. "Think she was hurt?"
"Nah, she looked fine this morning." Hermione said. "Dumbledore did want to see her though." she paused, then looked at them, "How do you think she knew?"
"What?" Ron said, "You mean about the noise?" Hermione nodded, "Probably saw some windows break or something outside."
"No worries," George said, "Whatever the reason, she prevented a disaster. I can't wait for tomorrow."
"Going to beat those Slytherin back to their place." Fred said, "Harry, try to get some rest. Remember you're our leader."
"I'll try." Harry said. Fred and George patted his back again, then moved to sit at the end of the table with Lee Jordan. Harry looked back up at the staff table, "Lupin couldn't do it. He would have told me." Harry said miserably.
"Don't worry Harry, S-" Hermione elbowed Ron and gave him a nasty look, "He'll be there."
"If you're worried...go ask him." Hermione said, getting more pudding.
"I don't want to. Not in front of everyone." Harry pouted.
"We'll go with you to talk to him after dinner." Ron said. "Harry, is that all that's bothering you?"
"Not really, I'm going to miss Hagrid." Harry said. They stayed in the Hall while most people stated to filter out. They played exploding snaps.
"Harry," Professor Lupin moved up behind him, "Shouldn't you be off to bed? Big game tomorrow." He smiled.
"But Professor..." Harry started, but Lupin cut him off.
"Now Harry, you didn't get much rest last night." Lupin said in a friendly manner, half lifting Harry out of his seat. He took Harry's hand in his for a moment, "You want to be at your best for the game tomorrow. Off you go. Good luck." Professor Lupin smiled at them again, "Good night."
Harry looked stunned. Ron and Hermione looked at him. Harry felt a piece of parchment in his palm. "We should probably go." Harry said. Although there were only a few dozen people in the Hall, Harry didn't want to open the note Professor Lupin had slipped him in front of all of them. Ron and Hermione shrugged and left with him. In the entrance hall, Harry stopped them, showing them the note, which read:
Harry,
All is going well. Everything has been arranged for tomorrow. Take your father's cloak to Moony tomorrow morning before the game. We'll do the rest. I look forward to seeing you in action.
Sirius
They looked at each other, smiled, and ran upstairs. Harry was now back in good spirits.
Harry was so excited he couldn't sleep. Oh, he tried, but his mind just wouldn't shut down. He knew he had to beat Slytherin now, he wasn't going to lose in front of Sirius.
Harry finally drifted off, a vision of living with Sirius filled his dreams. No Voldemort, no Dursleys, just him, finally getting to be a normal kid.
In the morning he rushed to Professor Lupin's office. He knocked on the door, clutching the invisibility cloak tightly. "Just a second." Lupin called, "Hello? Harry! Sorry, just putting the boggart in the closet." he smiled, "Good, good, you have it. Great, I'll take care of everything. Good luck, Harry."
Harry rushed off to the Great Hall, but didn't eat. He was too excited. Harry hated the waiting before the game.
Professor Lupin met Sirius on the edge of the black forest. Lupin handed him the cloak. "Harry's really excited. I'll walk you over to the pitch." Lupin offered. Sirius put on the cloak and walked with Lupin across the grounds.
"But where will I sit?" Sirius whispered.
"By me, beside the aisle, the farthest one from the stairs. Harry's friends will help make sure that no one steps on you." Lupin returned quietly. They turned into the stadium.
Lupin looked to the centre of the pitch and saw Araya Luna sitting there. She stood and started to move towards him. "Morning." she said pleasantly.
"What are you doing here?" Lupin asked, surprised.
"Meditating. It's quieter here. My ears are still a little sensitive." replied, here eyes fell to Lupin's side, then back to him. "You know, all guests are supposed to go through Dumbledore?"
"I don't know what you're talking about." Lupin said innocently. Her eyes moved to his side, Sirius could swear she was looking right at him.
"Whatever." Araya continued to leave.
"Are you coming to the game?"
"No. Too loud." Araya said, "Besides, I'm not into sports much. Later." she waved.
Once she'd left, Sirius whispered, "So that's the one?"
"Yep, that's her. The one I told you about." Lupin replied.
"Cute. Think she actually saw through the cloak?"
"Nah, she more likely smelled you." Lupin teased, "Man, you need a shower."
Araya had returned to her room in the dungeon. She hated being clueless and without answers. How did Harry's dream fit in? The answer was there, somewhere. She was normally so good at this kind of thing. Araya ran her fingers around her pendant, she wished her family was here, just for support. She couldn't voice her ideas here.